Legendary West Indies batsman Sir Clive Lloyd has written a heart-warming and yet motivating letter to the current West Indies side that is touring Bangladesh for five-match-long series. Both teams are scheduled to play three One-Day Internationals, followed up by a two-match Test series. A whole lot of West Indies star players have pulled out their names from the tour due to the fear of an ongoing pandemic.
Sir Lloyd poured his heart out in the letter and told the players that although they might feel they have been ‘thrown in the deep’ in what will be a ‘daunting’ assignment, it is not ‘insurmountable’.
Dear Guys
I thought that I would send you this message as I’m aware that you’re embarking on a Tour which you probably weren’t prepared for and people expect you to stand and deliver. What you should understand is that you have a chance of cementing a permanent place in the West Indies Team and not merely filling a gap. You have been chosen on merit. This is your destiny. It is your opportunity to fulfill it. This is a perfect opportunity to demonstrate your talents and skills to the world and prove to all and sundry that you’re not second-class cricketers. You can step up to the plate.
This is your opportunity to prove yourself worthy of your selection and you should be proud to wear that West Indies blazer and cap. You are representing one of the best cricketing nations which possess an enviable record of which we are very proud. Remember, we’re a nation of just over five million people.
Due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic and it is not a normal situation, hence there are no fixed set of rules, a player or a board can call-off the tour in their own comfort. The pick and choose method is more popular when an international side supposed to tour a less powerful cricketing nation. Earlier, Cricket Australia had postponed their tour of Bangladesh.
Sir Lloyd has been part of the legendary West Indies team that has won two World Cup. In his long career for West Indies, Sir Llyod has played 110 test matches and most remarkably captained the team in 84 games. For his sporting excellence and contribution to cricket, Lloyd was awarded CBE – the British order of chivalry and AO – Order of Australia.